As freak weather events become the new normal- —from heavy rains lashing Bengaluru and Pune to Delhi-NCR’s “feels like” 50°C heat—corporate India is moving swiftly to safeguard its workforce and minimise manufacturing and operational disruptions.
Companies like Godrej Consumer Products, ITC, Dabur, CEAT, Raychem RPG, Vedanta and KPMG are rolling out multiple initiatives to adapt to unforeseen climate shifts- —from redesigning infrastructure to revising work schedules. At Godrej Consumer, for instance, new factory sites are being constructed with their finished floor levels elevated above the highest flood levels recorded in the past 50 years.
“This will help reduce the risk of operational disruptions due to flooding,” said Saurabh Jhawar, product supply organisation head for India and Saarc at the maker of Cinthol talc and GoodKnight repellent.
Diversified conglomerate ITC and energy and electric infrastructure solutions provider Raychem RPG have restricted outdoor working hours to beat the heat. Raychem RPG—an equal joint venture between RPG Enterprises and TE Connectivity of the US that employs 2,889 blue-collar workers and 835 white-collar staff—has instructed all employees and contractor staff to not work in the open area between 12 pm to 4 pm, added buttermilk to its menu, and deployed AC buses for commuting workers, a company spokesperson said.
Strategic Safeguards
ITC has installed extra water coolers and conducts regular awareness sessions led by company doctors.
“The measures put in place depend on the geographic location of the unit, nature of work and are aligned to the requirements of employees,” a company spokesperson said.
Tyre manufacturer CEAT has introduced a car policy for long-distance commutes of field staff in intense heat, chill, or heavy rains. It is conducting awareness sessions and putting strategic safeguards in place, a company spokesperson said.
Consumer goods maker Dabur has equipped its factories with Turbo-vents, dehumidifiers, ceiling fans, desert coolers, door curtains, thermal insulation on windows, and puff panels, its executive director-HR Biplab Bakshi said.
Natural resources and technology conglomerate Vedanta is distributing hydration products to each employee in high-heat zones like potlines, underground mines, and power plants this summer season.
“We have rolled out a comprehensive summer wellbeing programme focused on both employees and their families,” said Madhu Srivastava, chief HR officer of Vedanta Ltd. These include summer camps for children of its close to 50,000 employees, including white-collar and blue-collar workers, she said.
At professional services firm KPMG, employees can avail work-from-home options in case of extreme weather conditions if the work permits, a spokesperson said. After being caught off guard by some extreme weather conditions like flash floods and last year’s record high temperatures, companies across industries are taking precautions to protect their employees and infrastructure, particularly in vulnerable localities, and to ensure minimum disruptions in logistics and other operations.
“As climate patterns shift, we continue to invest in solutions that prioritise safety, efficiency, and sustainability in our operations,” Jhawar of Godrej said. “To mitigate the impact of high temperatures, our factories are equipped with roof insulation, HVLS fans, and spot cooling systems.
Companies like Godrej Consumer Products, ITC, Dabur, CEAT, Raychem RPG, Vedanta and KPMG are rolling out multiple initiatives to adapt to unforeseen climate shifts- —from redesigning infrastructure to revising work schedules. At Godrej Consumer, for instance, new factory sites are being constructed with their finished floor levels elevated above the highest flood levels recorded in the past 50 years.
“This will help reduce the risk of operational disruptions due to flooding,” said Saurabh Jhawar, product supply organisation head for India and Saarc at the maker of Cinthol talc and GoodKnight repellent.
Diversified conglomerate ITC and energy and electric infrastructure solutions provider Raychem RPG have restricted outdoor working hours to beat the heat. Raychem RPG—an equal joint venture between RPG Enterprises and TE Connectivity of the US that employs 2,889 blue-collar workers and 835 white-collar staff—has instructed all employees and contractor staff to not work in the open area between 12 pm to 4 pm, added buttermilk to its menu, and deployed AC buses for commuting workers, a company spokesperson said.
Strategic Safeguards
ITC has installed extra water coolers and conducts regular awareness sessions led by company doctors.
“The measures put in place depend on the geographic location of the unit, nature of work and are aligned to the requirements of employees,” a company spokesperson said.
Tyre manufacturer CEAT has introduced a car policy for long-distance commutes of field staff in intense heat, chill, or heavy rains. It is conducting awareness sessions and putting strategic safeguards in place, a company spokesperson said.
Consumer goods maker Dabur has equipped its factories with Turbo-vents, dehumidifiers, ceiling fans, desert coolers, door curtains, thermal insulation on windows, and puff panels, its executive director-HR Biplab Bakshi said.
Natural resources and technology conglomerate Vedanta is distributing hydration products to each employee in high-heat zones like potlines, underground mines, and power plants this summer season.
“We have rolled out a comprehensive summer wellbeing programme focused on both employees and their families,” said Madhu Srivastava, chief HR officer of Vedanta Ltd. These include summer camps for children of its close to 50,000 employees, including white-collar and blue-collar workers, she said.
At professional services firm KPMG, employees can avail work-from-home options in case of extreme weather conditions if the work permits, a spokesperson said. After being caught off guard by some extreme weather conditions like flash floods and last year’s record high temperatures, companies across industries are taking precautions to protect their employees and infrastructure, particularly in vulnerable localities, and to ensure minimum disruptions in logistics and other operations.
“As climate patterns shift, we continue to invest in solutions that prioritise safety, efficiency, and sustainability in our operations,” Jhawar of Godrej said. “To mitigate the impact of high temperatures, our factories are equipped with roof insulation, HVLS fans, and spot cooling systems.
